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Head-to-head · Identity and Access Management Software

Google Cloud Identity vs AWS IAM Identity Center

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Google Cloud Identity #2 in Identity and Access Management Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Google Cloud
AWS IAM Identity Center #5 in Identity and Access Management Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit AWS IAM

Google Cloud Identity leads on 1 check, AWS IAM Identity Center on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Cloud Identity · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGoogle Cloud Identity · 3 of 3

Google Cloud Identity scores higher on our rubric for identity and access management software: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Google Cloud Identity offers adaptive access policies; AWS IAM Identity Center doesn't.

Google Cloud Identity is the better fit for google-centric organizations needing affordable IAM. AWS IAM Identity Center is the better fit for AWS organizations managing multi-account access.

  • Google Cloud Identity fits best

    Google-centric organizations needing affordable IAM

  • AWS IAM Identity Center fits best

    AWS organizations managing multi-account access

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Side by side

Feature Google Cloud Identity 9.2/10 Visit ↗ AWS IAM Identity Center 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #2 in Identity and Access Management Software #5 in Identity and Access Management Software
Best for Google-centric organizations needing affordable IAM AWS organizations managing multi-account access
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $6/user/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, Android, iOS Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 5 integrations 10 integrations
Features Google Cloud Identity 3/3 · AWS IAM Identity Center 2/3
Directory sync ✓ ✓
Lifecycle provisioning ✓ ✓
Adaptive access policies ✓ (best) —
Specs
SSO protocols SAML, OIDC SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0, OIDC
MFA methods Security keys, Google Prompt, Google Authenticator and other TOTP code generators, backup codes, SMS, voice calls, passkeys FIDO2 authenticators, virtual authenticator apps, RADIUS MFA
Included users Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free tier includes core identity, SSO, MFA, and endpoint management
  • Supports SAML and OIDC SSO plus broad MFA methods
  • Adds lifecycle provisioning, adaptive access, LDAP, and directory sync
  • Free access with SSO, permission sets, and multi-account assignments
  • SCIM provisioning and federation through SAML 2.0
  • MFA, temporary CLI credentials, and deep AWS integrations
Cons
  • Free edition provides 50 user licenses by default
  • Advanced controls require the Premium edition
  • Flexible Premium billing costs $7.20 per user monthly
  • Adaptive-access policy features are not part of the documented feature set
  • Its strongest capabilities are tied to AWS accounts and services
  • Non-AWS application access centers on SAML-enabled cloud applications
Our verdict

Google Cloud Identity is a cloud-based identity and access management platform for organizations that need centralized control over users, groups, applications, and endpoints. It is particularly well suited to Google-centric environments,…

Read the review →

AWS IAM Identity Center centralizes workforce access across AWS accounts, AWS-managed applications, and SAML-enabled cloud applications. It is designed for organizations using AWS Organizations to manage multiple accounts and needing…

Read the review →
  1. Google Cloud IdentityIdentity and Access Management Software 9.2Free plan
  2. AWS IAM Identity CenterIdentity and Access Management Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Cloud Identity — where it wins

    • Free tier includes core identity, SSO, MFA, and endpoint management
    • Supports SAML and OIDC SSO plus broad MFA methods
    • Adds lifecycle provisioning, adaptive access, LDAP, and directory sync

    Where it doesn't

    • Free edition provides 50 user licenses by default
    • Advanced controls require the Premium edition
    • Flexible Premium billing costs $7.20 per user monthly

  • AWS IAM Identity Center — where it wins

    • Free access with SSO, permission sets, and multi-account assignments
    • SCIM provisioning and federation through SAML 2.0
    • MFA, temporary CLI credentials, and deep AWS integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Adaptive-access policy features are not part of the documented feature set
    • Its strongest capabilities are tied to AWS accounts and services
    • Non-AWS application access centers on SAML-enabled cloud applications

More comparisons

All identity and access management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update